Undergraduate students in the Department of Biology are highly encouraged to participate in research projects and opportunities abound! Involvement in research provides a different type of training than experiences in the classroom. These opportunities can be important in defining future career goals and in pursuing certain career tracks or advanced education. Undergraduate research can be on a volunteer basis or to earn credit towards a degree by registering for Biology 4905.
Visit the Biology Undergraduate Research Opportunities page for more information.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes the involvement of undergraduates in research. Involvement in research can provide unique and valuable training, enhance the prospects for employment or admittance to graduate school, and aid in the development of a student's intellectual ability and background. In many cases, a student will have opportunities to present their project at local or regional scientific meetings and to become coauthor of a publication derived from the work. Student participating in undergraduate research can present their work at the annual campus Undergraduate Research Symposium, or at the St. Louis Area Undergraduate Research Symposium, or at the Undergraduate Research Symposium of the Local Section of the American Chemical Society. Undergraduates have the opportunity to pursue a research project under the guidance of a faculty member during the regular academic year and/or during the Summer. Students choosing to engage in research can expect access to all of the departmental facilities and support staff on a regular basis. In order to take part in research, a student typically consults with a number of faculty members to find a project suitable to their interests and background. Students engaged in research must enroll in Chemistry 3905, Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. Students seeking either the B.S. degree or the B.S. with an Emphasis in Biochemistry may use Chemistry 3905 to meet their advanced elective requirements. Students interested in research are encouraged to read the descriptions of research areas under the faculty links and then arrange to talk to individual faculty.
Visit the Chemistry Research Opportunities for Undergraduates page for more information.
Here is an example of a chemistry research project.
Visit the Mathematics and Computer Science Research page for more information.
Undergraduates interested in doing research should contact individual faculty whose interests match their own. Faculty Research summaries can be found here. Sonya Bahar is the undergraduate adviser and can provide information about funding opportunities through the department or doing research for credit. We have both academic year and summer funding. The department also provides small travel stipends for physics majors to present their work at conferences; contact the department chair, Erika Gibb. We have stipends for a student each academic year to work with Dave Horne on developing planetarium shows.
Visit the Physics & Astronomy Research page for more information.
Optometry focuses on the study of the human eye. Research primarily tends to focus on problems surrounding the eye and vision. They can focus on different treatment or new treatments. Or even just a specific visual issue. Here is the link to the Research in Optometry website.
